Collapsible trunk



No Model.) B J M CLEMENS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

GOLLAPSIBLE TRUNK.

Patented Apr. 10

(No Model.) 2" Shets-Sheet 2 E. J. M. CLEMENS. COLLAPSIBLE TRUNK.

No. 517,841. Patented Apr. 10, 1894.

ONAL LITHOGRAPHINQ qoMPANY, I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIZA J. M. CLEMENS, METROPOLIS, ILLINOIS.

COLLAPSIBLE TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 517,841, dated April 10, 1894.

Application filed April 29, 1893.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIZA J. M. CLEMENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Me trop0l1s,in the county of Massac, State of'Illino1s, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Collapsible Trunks, of which the following is a specification, reference beng had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to foldable or collapslble trunks, and it has, among other of its objects, that of providing that class of trunks with means for rendering it, not only of such dimension when in a collapsed condition as will require a minimum of space for its occupancy, but to provide means for renderlng the trunk when in condition for use fully as strong and rigid as non-foldable trunks. Simplicity and serviceability are also secured as will be seen by the following description of the invention, referring to the figures of the drawings of which- Figure 1 is a perspective of a trunk constructed in accordance with my invention in ts unfolded or distended condition. Fig. 2 1s a like view of the same trunk in its folded or collapsed condition. Fig. 3 is a perspectlve of the devices located in each corner for the purpose of locking the corner in a distended position and for supporting trays withm the trunk. Fig. 4 is a perspective of a corner plate one of which is employed at each corner of the trunk. Fig. 5 is a plan of a collapsible tray adapted for use in connection with the trunk, the tray being shown in this figure in acollapsed or folded position. Figs. 6 and 7 are perspectives of one corner of the tray 1n condition for use, the latter figure being a modification. Fig. 8 is a substantially central, longitudinal section of the trunk and its tray in a folded or collapsed condition.

' Figs. 9 and 10illustrate an unfolded foldable hat-box or independent receptacle to be used in connection with the trunk.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings A represents the bottom section of the trunk, to which, as at A, Fig. 2, the sides and ends are hinged. Preferably the ends B are proportioned to fold within the sides (J as fully shown in said figure, although it is apparent, but the inven- Serial No. 472,340. (No model.)

tion is not limited in this regard as it is apparent that these proportions may be changed so that the sides shall fold within the ends. So also the proportionate depth of the top and bottom sections at the side or ends may be varied as suits the constructor. The top section D is connected to the bottom section A by hinge leaves E connected bya strap E having a hinge or other articulate joint E between its ends which are hinge jointed at E to the leaves E; on one of the leaves E there is a projection E and upon the other leaf E, there is a spring link E which is of the ordinary character employed upon trunks and which when the trunk is distended, as shown in Fig. 1, connects with projections or lugsE on the lower section of the jointed strap E and which connects with the upper projections or lugs E when the trunk is in its collapsed condition as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The link E at the right of Fig. 2 is shown disconnected from the lugs E to facilitate an understanding of its operation. The purpose of the link E is to secure the top and bottom sections together when the trunk is in its collapsed condition. An ordinary look upon the top section taking into a lock plate or keeper upon the bottom section at the front side of the trunk or a link or links similar to the link E may be employed-for securing the said sections together at the front. Each of the corners of the trunk is stayed, strengthened and the side and ends rigidlyv secured in a distended position by means of, what I shall designate as a cornerplate F of one or more pieces as desired, comprising a base F having a screw threaded perforation F therein and two sides F F from which there project inwardly apertured lugs F those upon one side being ranged in a horizontal plane above that of those on the other side. The perforations F of the lugs andthat F of the base are in line with each other. In the end and side constituting a corner, there are formed openings G to receive the lugs F of the corner plates and in the end or side as preferred depending upon which is proportioned to fold within the other, slots H are formed to permit the slotted side or end to fold up vor down as the lugs F will pass through the slot H adjacent thereto.

In distending the trunk the side 0 is first turned up, the plate F is mounted thereon, the lugs F thereof being passed throughthe holes G. The end is then turned up and the projecting portions of the lugs F at the side are escaped by the end on account of the slots H while the lugs F on the other side of the corner plate enter the holes Grin the other end. A screwthreaded rod I is now passed through the several lugs of the corner plate, the bottom of the trunk and into the screwthreaded aperture in the base of the corner plate,,see F Fig. 4. One of the corner plates isleft 01f from Fig. 2 to show the holes G and slots H of the end and side at that point.

By the construction thus far described a collapsible trunk is provided which is capable of occupying a minimum space when folded and which is exceedingly rigid when distended and theseresults are accomplished by means which are easily made and applied and which occupy necessarily no more of the internal space than is required by the bolt I, it being understood that the lugs are shown projecting farther than is necessary into the trunk simply for the purpose of clearness of illustration.

In packing fine dresses and other goods,

wares, samples of merchandise and the like and Where it is desirable to prevent disfigurement or injury by reason of the contact with or the weight of other goods upon the same and to facilitate the separation of articles from each other experience has demonstrated that tills or trays are essentially the best means. structed and arranged in a trunk consume too much space or result in an increase of unoccupied space. To provide means for overcoming these objections is a part of my invention.

In each corner of the trunk I place a traysupporting standard J which when employed in a foldable trunk is pivoted at its lower end J, in any suitable manner, but when employed in a rigid trunk itmay be secured to the bottom at its lower end and to a side or.

ing in a projection J 3 and pivoted at J 4 to the standard. A stop J serves to support the arm in a horizontal position. In this instance the support is projected into the path of the bolt I and is perforated as at J for the passage of said bolt therethrough whereby the upper end of the support is maintained in position. The number of tray-arms may be as desired although as shown in Fig. 3 it is limited for the purpose of clearness of illustration. The object of foldably eonnecting the arms to the support is to reduce the space that they require when folded down in the collapsed trunk as shown in Fig. 8. If desired the free ends of the arms J 2 may be enlarged in cross section to give abroader support at the base of the projection J 3 fora tray when resting thereon. At the upper end of tom of the tray.

These however as ordinarily conwell known means.

nection with the devices thus far described but for the purpose of lightness and economy 7 5 in space, I construct a tray with corner-plates K of such an outline as to escape the rod I and lugs F as well as the support J when the trayis placed within the trunk. I have shown the plates in the form of quarter-annuli but this may be materially changed as the only essential is the escapement of the devices in the corner of the trunk. Each corner plate is provided with an aperture K for thereception of the lug J 3 on the tray-supporting arm J As before stated the arm may be enlarged in cross-section to give a broader support to the plate K. The sides and ends of the tray may be formed of sheet-material such as wood, paper or metal as shown in Fig. 7 in which case the corner-plate K wouldbe omitted and a simple opening K formed in the bot- The end B and sidesC are foldably-conneeted with the bottom A of the tray and connected by any suitable device 5 such as a hook L. But for lightness and compactness the preferable form of tray would comprise the corner-plates K and wire frames K for the ends and sides, these frames belng pivoted in cars K on the plates K, as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

Any form of retaining device may be employed to separably connect the side and end of the tray at each corner. In Fig. a euro K is wound around the frame K is bent upon itself atits opposite end to form a spring catch which is inserted in the eye K formed in the wire K It may be held in said eye by mere friction. To form the bottom of the tray canvas or tapes or Woven wire cloth may be secured to the frames K and the same materials may be employed to fill in the sides and ends. Tapes may be secured to the frame to be tied over and across the contents of the tray when packed. These tapes M are shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 9 N represents a hat box, the front N, bottom N back N and cover N are each pivoted to the other while the ends N are pivoted to the bottom or if desired may slide in cleats N and the whole maintained in a distended position by hooks N or any other This construction permits of folding the receptacle as shown in Fig. 10 and when so folded it can be stored away in the collapsed trunk.

K Fig. 8 represents a number of trays unfolded and packed in the collapsed trunk.

What I claim is 1. A collapsible trunk provided with a removable corner plate having lugs projecting from its inner surfaces and overlapping and means for securing the plate to the trunk, substantially as specified.

side and end, a corner plate having perforated projections in line with each other and passed through said openings and a single bolt passed through said perforations, substantially as specified.

5. A collapsible trunk having openings in its side and end, a corner plate provided withperforated base and perforated lugs arranged with'all the perforations in the same vertical plane and passed through said openings, and a bolt screwthreaded at its lower end and passed through all of said perforations, substantially as specified.

6. A collapsible trunk provided with openings in the side and a folding tray support, a

.removable corner-piece having lugs passed plates cut away and strengthened and constructed to escape the supports and foldable sides and ends, substantially as specified.

8. A collapsible trunk having tray-supports in the corners thereof and trays having pivoted wire frames and corner plates concaved to escape the supports and to rest upon traysupporting arms carried by the supports, substantially as specified.

9. In a collapsible trunk, top and bottom sections and intermediate foldable and bin geleaves one connected to the top and the other to the bottom section and connected to each other by a jointed strap, substantially as specified.

10. In a collapsible trunk, top and bottom sections, intermediate folding sections, terminal hinge-leaves, one of which is connected with the top section and the other with the bottom section, and oneof which carries afastening device and the other of which carries cooperating fastening lugs, substantially as specified.

11. In a foldable trunk, and in combination with the top and bottom and intermediate folding sections thereof, a jointed connect-ingstrap pivoted at either end to a hinge leaf and means for detachably connecting the hinge-leaves, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' ELIZA J. M. CLEMENS. Witnesses: I

HEATH SU'IHERLAND, L. O. HILLS. 

